Carton-closing machine with automatic stop mechanism



Jan. 29', 1924.

W. DA-KIMBALL CARTON CLOSING MACHINE WITH AUTOMATIC STOP MECHANISM 2 Sheets- Sheet 1 Filed July 16 1921 Pl km t--- M :1 I Pl HHIIIIIIIU i INN 1 km A T I I, mlm==ml l I. I a l- 1 m L x .w m N. Q

Jan. 29, 1924. 1,482,197

W. D. KIMBALL CARTON CLOSING MAGHINEWITH AUTOMATIC STOP MECHANISM Filed July 16 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mull-Mi!- fj,

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I l/ l/ Ill/ll I Patented Jan. 29, 1924.

UNITED S ATES PATENT WALLACE D. KIMBALL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOB TO STANDARD SEALING EQUIP MENT CORPORATION, 03: NEW YORK, N. Y.,'.A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CARTON-CLOSING MACHINE WITH AI ITOMATIC STOP MECHANISM.

Application filed July 16, 1921. Serial No. 485,189.

To all whomz't may concern:

Be it known that I, lVAnLACn l). KmnALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county of New York, a State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Carton- (llosing Machines with Automatic. Stop Mechanism; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The present invention relates to a machine for sealing filled cartons and refers partie- [5 ularly to improvements in that type of carton sealing machine disclosed in the co-pending application of Wallace D. Kimball and Arthur E. Rideout, Serial No. 396,362.

The use of fibre board, or similar material, in the construction of cartons and containers to he used as shipping cases is widely practiced at the present time. If properly sealed such cartons and packing cases give excellent service when subjected to the rough as usage encountered in shipping. If the sealing is defective, however, the closed flaps are likely to break open and thereby not only cause the loss of the contents, but the destruction of the container as well.

To secure a substantial joint it is necessary that the flaps be coated with adhesive and subjected to a uniform pressure over their gummed portions until setting of the adhesive takes place. Silicate of soda is alas most invariably employed as the cementing medium and is excellent for this purpose if properly used. However, silicate has properties somewhat similar to a cement, and the silicated flaps must be held firmly in position for a suiiicient lengthof time to permit of an initial set. Unlike an ordinary adhesive which gradually hardens and isnot seriously affected by a slight relative movement of the flaps during the hardening process, the newly applied coating of silicate is ruptured by any slight movement which may occur and its a pletely destroyed.

It Is important then to not only apply 59 pressure to the flaps after being silieated at to maintain a uniform pressure over each particular portion of the flap, and thereby rigidly hold them without relative movement.

In plants having a small output the most hesive qualities com-- during the sealing process toward the place 7 at wh ch they areto be loaded for shipment,

and such an apparatus is described in the I above mentioned co-pending application. In that machine, however,-the carton carrier is continuously moving, and although the pressure-applying. elements which engage the flaps move w1th the carton the vibration of the machine sometimes causes imperfect sealing. V

Accordingly, in the present invention we provide a power-driven apparatus for sealin filled cartons in which pressure is applied to the gummed flaps while the carton is stationary for a period sufiiciently long to permit of an initial setting of the silicate, and subsequently convey the carton along the apparatus as successive cartons are introduced.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this type in which each carton is moved away from the receiving end of the apparatus out of the way of succeeding cartons, by an automatically operating mechanism which sets the machine in operation as the carton is placed in the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic apparatus of the above type in which the power from thedriving motor is utilized with maximum efiiciency, there being. no operation of vthe driving mechanism when the machine is empty.

It is a further object of the present.in-' vention to provide an apparatus of this ty e in which the full length of the pressure o ement is utilized at all times, thereby permitting a. shorter machine and one of cospondingly low cost to be employed for a given output desired. p

It is a still further object of the invention to provide in an apparatus of the above type an automatic mechanism for regulating the driving mechanism which is of extremely sim le construction and adds practically not ing to the cost of the apparatus.

I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention in the accompanying drawh ghs, in which- 1 p 1 1g. 1 1s an eevational view, party in section, of a machine for sealing filled cartons in accordance with my invention;

F ig.- 2 is an elevational view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of a part of the regulating mechanism; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the I type of carton which my. improved appa ratus is designed toseal.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the draw ings and particularly to Fig. 1, 1 indicates the frame of the machine shown here as consisting of a horizontal table 2 supported on the legs 3 arranged at desired intervals along its length. Supported on the table 2 is a pair of channels 4 upon which is mounted a series of ro1lers'5 serving as a support for the-cartons in their passage .through the machine. The rollers are transversely mounted in the channels with their peri heries close together, and around them- .1s p aced an endless belt 6 preferably of heavy webbing and having an appreciable thickness. The belt is supported at one end upon the driving pulley 7 and at the opposite end u on an idle roller 8, and is driven from a sultable source of power, such as an electric motor. 9 mounted upon the upper ortion of the frame 1 and driving the puley 7 by means of reducing gears 10, and a sprocket chain 11.

The upper portion of the frame extends above the rollers 5 for a distance considermeans of screw threaded rods 18 threaded through fixed collars on the frame structure 1 and supporting at their lower ends brackets 19 whose opposite ends are connected to the.

channels 15. The joint between the screw shanks 18 and the brackets 19 are floating joints and allow the arch to tilt somewhat to rovide for slight irregularities in the sur ace of the carton.

Each of the hangers 14 is provided with separate pressure springs 20, the springs preferably lying between the webs of the channels and working against the collars 21 which are attached to the stems of the hangers. The machine may be adjusted to receive various sized cartons by moving the brackets 19 in a vertical direction by means of the screw threaded rods 18. For any given size carton the upper pressing belt 13 .anappreciable thickness, so that pressure will be applied along-the gummed edges of the flaps without, crushing down the edges of the carton. This arrangement obtains a positive and secure sealingof the flaps from end to end.

The frame 1 is preferably provided at its receiving end with a roller table; as shown in Fig. 1, and at its discharge end with a table (not shown) or a chute for receiving the sealed cartons. Longitudinal guide strips 22 are preferably provided near the 2 receiving end of the machine to properly place the cartons with relation to the pressing belts.

The motor 9 receives its power from the leads 23 through an automatic control switch 25 supported substantially beneath the first belt supporting roller at the initial end of the machine and preferably mounted in the lower guide strip'22, as shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 3 in which the details of the switch are shown, the switch parts are enclosed within the housing 26, which is se cured to the guide strip 22 by meansof screws 27. In the outer wall of the housing 26 are mounted contact posts 28 extending through the wall of the housing and pro- 'ecting equal distances into the interior. hese posts are located in one side of the -lIiOt0rY circuit which leads from; its power source, the interval between these posts being the only non-conducting space disconnecting the motor from its power source. Thus, when the posts 28 arecon-nected by an electrical conductor, the motor circuit will be closed ,and the driving mechanism will be set in motion; r.

Mounted within the housing isa contact bar or 'disk 29 which fits loosely around the shaft of a screw 30, and-is pressed against the head of the screw by means of a spring 31. The screw 30 is secured to the body member 32 of the contact switch which in turn is slidably mounted upon rods 33 and is held in position by means of coil springs 34 surrounding the rods 33. The member 32 is so shaped as to project throu h a hole in the guide s-tri 22" and has its si e closest the receiving en of the machine beveled off at 35 so as to be pressed outwardly by the introduction of a carton. Normally springs 34' maintain the member 32 projected through the hole in the guide strip 22, the screw 30 being of such length that contact Mea e? The springs 34 serve to hold the member- 32 securely a inst the side ofthe carton and prevent c uttering or other vibration. After. the member 32 has been pressed partly outward the contact piece 29 inter-- connects the binding posts 28, thus connecting the motor 9 with its power source. Further movement of the piece 32 compresses the spring so that it serves as a resilient banking for the contact piece 29 and maintains a firm contact regardless of irregular.- ities in the size of the carton, the loose fit about the shank of screw 3%. allowing the contact piece to tilt a small amount and thus odset any ine ualities of the loo h of the projections 0 posts 28 into t e switch casing. L

l rom the above description the operation of the apparatus will be readily understood. The cartons come from the acher-with the flaps folded in but unseal and with the goods in the cartons. If the goods are individual articles such as cans, or cakes of soap, for instance, the tla s at both ends are unsealed. If packed with finely divided material the bottom .flapswill "havebeen folded and sealed upon a so-called bottomsealer before being filled A carton as received from the packer is placed upon the roller table at the receiving end of the machine and the ovcrlaping faces of the unscaled flaps coated with silicate and pressed together. The carton is then introduced by the operator into the presser mechanism. As the forward end of the carton goes beneath the first pressing roller it also contacts with member 32 of the switch 25. When this switch is closed power is su plied to the motor 9 and the driving mec anism is actuated, carrying the carton to be sealed into the machine. The contact continues until the carton has passed the projecting portion 32 of the contacting switch, at which time the member 32 sprin quickl back into position and effects a ci an hrs in the motor circuit. The power supplied to the driving mechanism is immediately shut ed, and the carton will move beyond the switch only such a distance as it is carried by the momentum of the machine, which distance is smell and servesmerely to provide a clearance space between successive cartons in their passage through the machine.

The carton then rests in this position under the action of the pressing elements until a succeeding carton is introduced. Thus a uniform stead pressure is a plied to the.

flaps during e tim'e in whic the silicate is attaining its initial set, without even the small danger otrelativefmovement of the flaps being sealed as might exist in case the cartons were passed continuously on through the machine; Furthermore, durin this period the driving motor is Shot 0 and-no power is wasted in actuating the driving mechanism unnecessarily.

The next cartonis then introduced and the motor again operates the driving mechanism until this carton has been completely introduced into the pressure element, after which it again stops and remains stationary until the introduction of a succeeding carton. In this-manner the entire length of the machine is utilized, the cartons being closely spaced allalon the length of the pressing mechanism. hach cartonhas a longer period of contact with the presser belt than would be the case it a continuously moving driving mechanism were employed, and consequentlg a shorter machine may be employed ior a given output to be handled.

This machine may be used for sealing the top and bottom flaps of filled cartons or for sealing the top flaps only.

It is to be understood that the contact switch used need not be ,of the exact construction here shown but may be of any standard type which will accomplish the same purpose, the'springs, however, being preferably used to avoid sparking at the points of contact. It is also obvious that power controlling devices other than elcc- I trio switches. may be employed if desired and that various other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a machine for sealin filled cartons, a presser member for app yin pressure to the flaps of the carton, means ior advancing the carton into the machine under the action of said presser member, and automatic means for discontinuing the advancing force applied to said carton immediately after its complete introduction to the action of said presser member.

2. In a machine for sealing'filled cartons, comprising presser elements, means for ad' vancing a carton into the machine with its flaps silicate-d, and automatic means for discontinuing the advancing force applied to the carton immediately after its introduction into the said resser elements tor a length of time suficient to insure an initial setting of the silicate.

3. In a machine for sealing filled cartons, means for applying pressure to the flaps to be sealed, and means for automatically spac ing the cartons in close succession along the length of said pressure applying means.

4. In a machine for sealing filled cartons means for applying pressure to the flaps being sealed,'t e contact between said pressure applying means and said flaps being sta tlonary and means for automatically spacw ll ing the cartons in close succession along the length of said pressure applyin means.

5. In a machine for sealing lled' cartons, means for advancing a carton into the machine with its flaps silicated, automatic meansfor controlling'the movement of said means to startits movement uponthe introduction of each carton into the machine and to stop the movement after an advance at least equal to the length of the carton.

6. In a machine for. sealing filled cartons, means for applying pressure to the flaps to be sealed, said means comprising a pressure member of width less than that of the carton and a yielding backing for said member comprising, a plurality of transverse rollers resiliently mounted to permit of a slight vertical movement, and means for automatically spacing the cartons in close succession along the length of said pressure applying means.

7. In a machine for sealing filled cartons, the combination of means for applying pressure along the middle of the carton fla'ps, means for conveying the carton through the machine, and a motor actuating said conveying means, said motor being controlled by the movement of the cartons through the machine.

sure along the middle of the upper and lower carton flaps, the lower presser belt serving to convey the carton through the machine,

and a motor actuating said conveying belt,

said motor being controlled by the movement of the cartons through the machine.

10. In a machine for sealing filled cartons, means for applying pressure tothe carton flaps, means for conveying the cartons through the machine, an electric motoractuating said conveying means, and a contact switch in circuit with said motor adapted to-be actuated by successive cartons as they are introduced into the machine to intermittently connect said motor to" its power source.

11. In a machine for sealing filled cartons,-

to the open position after said carton has passed, thereby disconnecting the motor from its power source.

12. In a machine for sealing filled cartons, means for ap lying pressure to the carton flaps, means or conveying cartons through the machine, an electric motor actuatin said conveying means, and a contact SWltCl in circuit with said motor, said switch comprising contact terminals, 21' contact plate for bridgi ng said terminals, a spring for holding said plate resiliently in contact with said terminals, a body member carrying said contact plate and adapted to be actuated by a carton as it is introduced into the machine, and springs for normally holding said member resiliently in an open position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WALLACE D. KIMBALLi 

